In a major boost to India's advanced biofuel sector, Spray Engineering Devices Limited (SED) has received ₹150 crore in financial assistance under the PM JI-VAN Yojana of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), implemented through the Centre for High Technology (CHT). The funding will support the establishment of a 91 KLPD (kilolitres per day) Second Generation (2G) Ethanol Biorefinery at Wave Sugar, Dhanaura, Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in the commercialization of advanced ethanol technologies in India.
The upcoming facility will be among the country's first privately developed commercial-scale 2G ethanol biorefineries to integrate biomass gasification with advanced gas fermentation technology. The plant will convert agricultural residues into sustainable ethanol, creating a circular economy model that utilizes crop waste for the production of low-carbon fuels. The project also lays the foundation for future manufacturing of green chemicals, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) intermediates, and other renewable bio-based products.
The biorefinery combines LanzaTech's globally recognized gas fermentation platform with Ankur Scientific Energy Technologies' indigenous oxygen-enriched biomass gasification technology in a thermally integrated configuration. This innovative approach enables efficient conversion of biomass-derived syngas into ethanol while expanding opportunities for future renewable fuel and chemical production. The collaboration reflects SED's commitment to bringing global carbon recycling technologies to India while strengthening domestic engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
Commenting on the development, Vivek Verma, Managing Director of SED, said the future of the sugarcane industry extends beyond conventional sugar and first-generation ethanol production. He emphasized that integrated bio-industrial ecosystems can transform agricultural residues into valuable resources for clean fuels, green chemicals, and sustainable economic growth. He added that the project is an important step toward SED's Smart Village Initiative, which aims to establish rural India as a hub for next-generation bio-manufacturing. According to him, government support under the PM JI-VAN scheme reinforces the importance of advanced biofuels in enhancing India's energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and advancing the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and the Global Biofuel Alliance.
Sukhraj Soni, Director – Biofuels & Green Chemicals at SED, described the project as a major advancement in India's renewable energy landscape. He noted that integrating thermochemical gasification with biological gas fermentation creates a flexible technology platform capable of producing advanced ethanol today while enabling future production of renewable fuels and green chemical products. He further stated that the project represents more than an ethanol plant, serving as a blueprint for future integrated biorefineries that can convert agricultural residues into multiple high-value products while supporting long-term energy security and sustainable industrial development.
India's ethanol blending programme has made significant progress through first-generation feedstocks such as sugarcane and grains. However, achieving the country's long-term renewable energy and decarbonization goals will require commercially viable second-generation (2G) ethanol technologies capable of utilizing agricultural residues. SED's new project is expected to contribute significantly to this transition by promoting waste-to-wealth solutions and strengthening India's advanced biofuel ecosystem.
With over three decades of experience in engineering solutions for the sugar and process industries, SED is expanding its focus toward advanced biofuels and clean energy technologies. The 2G ethanol biorefinery project reflects the company's evolution into a technology-driven partner supporting India's transition to a low-carbon, sustainable energy future.
